Coach Ellie's Blog
Is Knowledge "Power" or Just Annoying?
Yesterday my husband baked cookies for the neighborhood. Little cookies — about an inch and a half in diameter with a chocolate kiss on top. They were little, so I had one. Actually, I had 3. Then, I looked at the nutrition information on the box: 140 calories each!!
Maybe some of your well-meaning friends sent you the internet links to the calorie disaster of a typical Thanksgiving meal. Mine did. I ignored them, but I also did a good job of enjoying the things I love without breaking the nutrition bank. December is posing a whole new set of challenges, tough, because, December is the month of the "Sugar Bliss."
So, I decided to "get the facts" (http://www.nutritionfacts.com). As annoying as they are, here they are:
- One sugar cookie from pre-cut, sliced, refrigerated cookie dough=111 caloires, 5.3 g fat and 15 g carbs
- One slice of Aunt Dot's fruit cake (without the rum soak): 140 calories, 5 g fat, 25 g carbs
- One ounce of peanut brittle (not even the good stuff mom makes): 130 calories, 5 g fat, 20 g carbs
- One cup (8 0z) eggnog: 340 calories, 20 g fat, 35 g carbs (Just soze ya knoze, a "tall" eggnog latte is 16 oz.). Not to be a total killjoy, but I went to the Starbuck's web site. A venti (16 0z/tall) Eggnog Latte is 480 calories, 22 g fat and 53 g carbs. There isn't a nonfat version — I asked the site to calculate for nonfat and it said 450 calories, 18 g fat and 53 g carbs.
So, do you hate me yet?
I really underestimated the calories of those innocent looking little cookies yesterday. I don't think I'm alone in that and I suspect most of you are like me in that you don't want to start 2008 with extra pounds to shed. As disheartening as it is to see how calories ladened this holiday actually is, for me, knowledge is power. I have a better understanding of the cost of indulging and can make an informed decision about what goes in my mouth. Will I indulge? Heck, yeah!! Will I do it every day? Not a chance!!
If you're not totally depressed, how about a walk? You knew that was next, didn't you? If you live in the snow belt, get out the snow shoes and the cross country skis. If it's too icy to walk safely, pull the exercise bike out from under the clothes that are draped over the handlebars. Get out the old exercise videos. Go to the gym. Schedule a holiday lights walk around your neighborhood.
Every mile you walk burns roughly 80-120 calories.
Every time you exercise, you lift your mood (a good things as we cruise towards the shortest day of the year!).
Every time you exercise, you help your body manage the stress of the holidays.
Every time you exercise, you help your body manage your blood pressure, your cholesterol and your blood sugar.
Every time you exercise, you help your body maintain the physical strength to do the things you enjoy doing.
And, EVERYTHING COUNTS, whether it's 15 minutes or 2 hours. Balance matters, too, and every day you do something weighs in your favor . . . literally!
Happy holidays and happy walking!
Coach Ellie